Table of Contents
- Can I Use a Worktop as a Breakfast Bar?
- Can I Have a Breakfast Bar in a Small Kitchen?
- What Is the Difference Between a Worktop and a Breakfast Bar?
- What Is the Ideal Overhang for a Breakfast Bar?
- Should a Breakfast Bar Worktop Be Higher Than a Normal Worktop?
- What Is the Correct Height for a Breakfast Bar?
- What Overhang Should a Worktop Have?
- Design Ideas for an Overhang Breakfast Bar
- How to Get a Statement Breakfast Bar Overhang?
- Practical Tips Before Installing a Breakfast Bar Worktop
- Why It’s Worth Adding a Breakfast Bar in the Kitchen?
- Order Stone Breakfast Bar in the UK
- FINAL THOUGHTS
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Picture this: The kettle’s boiling, someone’s checking emails, another person’s cutting fruit, all happening at the same spot. That’s the charm of a good breakfast bar worktop.
Some kitchens have that one corner where everyone ends up, even when there’s a whole dining table nearby. That’s usually the overhang bar in a worktop. You can cook, chat, or scroll through emails without moving far. A well-designed worktop can do all that, and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune either.
Can I Use a Worktop as a Breakfast Bar?
You can, and plenty of people do. A standard kitchen worktop can easily double as a breakfast bar if you extend it a little beyond the base units. The trick lies in the overhang and the support underneath.
Most worktops sit around 600mm deep, which works fine for meal prep but doesn’t leave much space for knees or stools. There is a way to create an area where people can sit comfortably. Just extend your worktop, up to 900mm and that is an instant upgrade.
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Can I Have a Breakfast Bar in a Small Kitchen?
Of course, why not! We have made it possible for many of our customers to enjoy a breakfast bar worktop even in their small cramped kitchen. And guess what, they did not have to rebuild the entire layout. It is possible with an overhang.
Nowadays, modern designs often blend both the worktop and extended bar into one smooth surface. A simple extension with strong brackets or breakfast bar legs does the job. This is in fact a great way to save space.
What Is the Difference Between a Worktop and a Breakfast Bar?
A basic kitchen worktop and a breakfast bar may look similar, but their purpose isn’t quite the same.
A worktop is mainly about function, it’s where all the cooking prep happens, where the appliances sit, and where spills are expected. A breakfast bar, meanwhile, is more of a hangout zone. It’s designed for sitting, eating, or chatting, a slightly more social feature.
If you want an answer on a technical level, notice the difference in size and layout. You will see that the worktop stops where the cabinets end. Now look at the other. The breakfast bar extends outward to allow seating space.
Materials also matter here. At work-tops.com, you’ll find everything from durable granite to kitchen friendly quartz and low-maintenance sintered stone for your breakfast bar worktop, so you can match the vibe of your kitchen rather than forcing it to fit.
What Is the Ideal Overhang for a Breakfast Bar?
Getting the overhang right is what separates a nice-looking bar from one that’s actually comfortable. Go too short and people end up knocking their knees. Go too long and it starts to feel a bit wobbly.
In most homes, the sweet spot sits somewhere between 250mm and 350mm — that’s roughly 10 to 14 inches. This size gives enough legroom for keeping your stools while still keeping the worktop sturdy.
If you’re installing stone worktops like granite or quartz, it’s worth adding a few hidden brackets or corbels underneath for extra strength. This is because the stones have a massive weight and they need great support to avoid accidents. The hidden brackets do that while giving a clean, floating look.
Read More: Is It Worth Having A Breakfast Bar?
Should a Breakfast Bar Worktop Be Higher Than a Normal Worktop?
Like we hinted above, the height of your breakfast bar totally depends on the mood you want to set.
Honestly, the overhang size for a breakfast bar depends on what kind of kitchen vibe you’re going for.
Traditionally, breakfast bars were built a little higher. They measured about 1,100mm from the floor. This means they looked more like an actual bar counter. This method would neatly separate the cooking zone from the eating space without needing walls or islands.
But that’s changing in modern homes. Many of our customers have shown a desire to keep the bar level with their worktop. That means at a height of 900mm. They say that it gives their kitchen a cleaner look and makes the space feel open. Plus it helps light flow better and is a lot more practical for those planning to use it for meal prep or as a quick workspace.
So, we will say that there’s no strict rule in getting an overhang size perfection. You can go higher if you want a more classic, defined bar look. Or, you can keep your breakfast bar worktop level if you prefer something minimal and open. Make a choice based on how you live and move around your kitchen.
What Is the Correct Height for a Breakfast Bar?
The “correct” height depends mostly on what stools you’ll be using.
For standard bar stools, you’re looking at about 1,100mm height. For counter stools — the shorter, more everyday kind, 900mm is perfect.
When you’re matching stools to your bar, make sure there’s around 250–300mm of space between the top of the stool and the underside of the worktop. That’s just enough legroom to sit comfortably without feeling squashed or too far away from your plate.
If you’re having the bar custom-made, take stool measurements first — not the other way around. It’ll save you a headache later.
Contact Us for Stunning Worktop With Overhang
What Overhang Should a Worktop Have?
A standard worktop overhang is much smaller than that of a breakfast bar — usually 20–40mm beyond the front of the cabinets. That tiny extension keeps spills from dripping down the doors and gives a neater finish.
When combining a worktop with a breakfast bar, you’ll have two different overhangs in play:
20–40mm around normal cabinets
250–350mm where people sit
This mix keeps the design practical but still stylish. It’s also the easiest way to make a small kitchen look more open, no bulky dining furniture needed.
Design Ideas for an Overhang Breakfast Bar
When choosing your breakfast bar worktop surface, think about more than just the look. You’ll want something that can handle daily wear, coffee rings, and maybe even a child’s art project.
Here are a few solid ideas:
1. Quartz for Clean and Contemporary
Polished, durable, and easy to wipe — quartz is the go-to for modern homes. It’s tough, stain-resistant, and available in endless colours.
2. Marble for Lux and Texture
Marble worktops give instant uplift to a kitchen in a luxurious way. They age gracefully and pair beautifully with painted cabinets or industrial-style spaces.
3. Granite for Timeless Strength
Granite adds natural character and depth. It’s also practically indestructible if you cook or bake often.
4. Laminate for Style on a Budget
If you’re keeping costs in check, laminate worktops have come a long way. They mimic natural materials convincingly and are easy to clean.
How to Get a Statement Breakfast Bar Overhang?
For some reason, guests always end up sitting near the kitchen counter — no matter how many other chairs are available. That’s what makes the breakfast bar overhang such a clever invention. One way to make this practical surface a design statement is to have a rounded curved edge instead of straight corners.
A curved edge softens traffic flow and feels friendly, while a waterfall end (where the worktop continues down the side) gives a bold, design-led finish.
Read Next: Safest Worktop Edge Type for Family With Kids
Practical Tips Before Installing a Breakfast Bar Worktop
Plan where people will sit. Make sure stools don’t block drawers or the fridge door.
Think about support. Especially for stone or quartz, extra brackets help with safety.
Lighting matters. Pendant lights above the breakfast bar give definition and warmth.
Stay consistent. Using the same worktop material across kitchen zones keeps the space looking joined up.
Mind the corners. Rounded edges are safer and softer, especially if you have kids.
Why It’s Worth Adding a Breakfast Bar in the Kitchen?
It’s more than a style upgrade, a breakfast bar changes how you use your kitchen. It brings people together without crowding the cooking space. It becomes a place to chat, snack, work, or unwind.
Even small kitchens benefit. A well-placed breakfast bar creates structure and flow, letting the kitchen feel social rather than simply functional.
And when done right, it adds value, not just in money, but in everyday comfort.
At work-tops.com, you can explore a huge range of breakfast bar worktops in different materials, sizes, and finishes, so whatever your kitchen’s size or style, there’s a surface that fits.
Order Stone Breakfast Bar in the UK
Looking to add a durable and stylish stone breakfast bar to your kitchen? Choose from over ten premium stone collections available at Work-Tops.com. We supply everything from marble and granite to quartz, porcelain, and Dekton worktops — all crafted to suit modern and classic kitchens alike.
Here are some of our most popular choices from recent 2024 installations that might spark ideas for your own space:
Note: For current stock images, please contact us on 0330 113 5868 or email info@work-tops.com.
The pictures shown are for representation only — stock changes regularly due to the wide range we carry.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A simple overhang can do a lot more than you think to your breakfast bar worktop requirement. It’s an easy way to turn a plain worktop into a leisure area and make the kitchen feel more social without spending too much. With a few smart choices, like a waterfall edge or a bookmatched slab you can give the space real character. Little touches like that make guests notice.
If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen, give us a call on 0330 113 5868 or drop an email to info@work-tops.com. We’ll help you find a stone that fits your style and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Can I Use My Worktop as a Breakfast Bar?
Yes. Most materials be it quartz, granite, wood, even laminate, can work as a breakfast bar as long as the overhang and support are done properly.
What Is the Ideal Overhang for a Breakfast Bar?
Around 250mm to 350mm tends to feel right for the breakfast bar overhang. This size gives enough space for your knees and stools and also keeps the worktop steady.
Should a Breakfast Bar Be Higher Than a Worktop?
There is no “one correct height" for a breakfast bar. It truly depends on how you want the space to look and feel. If you want a separate zone for cooking and working/eating area, go for a higher bar 1100mm from the floor. If you are fine with the same level that’s open and clean-lined, stay with the usual worktop height about 900mm from the floor.
What Is the Correct Height for a Breakfast Bar Worktop?
Typically 900mm for counter-height and 1,100mm for bar-height. Match your stools accordingly.
What Overhang Should a Worktop Have?
A normal worktop needs about 20–40mm. For the breakfast bar section, aim for 250–350mm.
